Hudson school board OKs easement for new walking trail

Friday

Jan 25, 2013 at 3:00 PM

By Dan CherryDaily Telegram Staff Writer

HUDSON — The Hudson Area Schools Board of Education at its meeting Monday approved an easement across the middle/ high school’s southern boundary for a new walking trail to be constructed over the summer.

The school board’s approval was the final step needed to build the pathway, which will be known as the Sunrise Meadows Trail, from North Maple Grove Avenue to Meadowbrook Drive. City manager Steve Hartsel said the city has been approved for a $107,000 congestion mitigation and air quality grant from the state. The trail will be routed around Our Saviour Lutheran Church and Hudson High School.

The city council approved the final details of the walking trail project at its Jan. 15 meeting.

During board discussion Monday, Hartsel asked the board to consider waiving a second appraisal of the land.

A second appraisal would push back the creation of the trail by approximately 90 days. The city’s goal is to have the majority of the trail finished by the time school is back in session.

The Sunrise Meadows Trail is the third of a series of trails to promote exercise and less use of emissions-producing vehicles. The Findlay Trail was constructed two years ago, while the second path, known as the Murdock Trail, is to be built in the coming months. The Murdock Trail will wind around the Lincoln Elementary School property. Those easements were approved last year.

The Murdock Trail is on schedule for completion by June 30, Hartsel said at the meeting. A fourth trail connecting to the business park is on the long-range plan for 2014.